The nights are getting colder, and the sun is barely present anymore. People are starting to wrap up in their thermal wear and everyone looks chilled and unhappy as the wind bites their face. But why should the weather mean you have to start looking pale and unhappy? Winter sun may be a faraway dream, but you can still enjoy a winter glow, fake tan style.
Formulas have advanced so much in recnt years that going orange is very unlikely, and wanting to boost my poor pale compelxion I headed into London for a Xen-Tan spray tan.
Xen-Tan is a brand I've loved for the last couple of years (pronounced Zen Tan) as it created an amazingly natural colour, with minimum of fuss and leaves you with smooth skin that's patch free. It does this by using a formulation that's incredibly rich in moisture, so your skin actually feels softer after use, and the smell, well, the smell is unlike anything you've ever had from a fake tan before,as it's delicious!
I popped along to the salon to enjoy my spray tan. I'd dutifully exfoliated the night before, and then had to go through the paper knickers conundrum with the lovely salon girl. I covered my hair with a shower cap, and then extra cream was applied to my palms and feet- all the places where the colour can build up too heavily, as the cream prevents this from happening.
I was put at ease by the lovely lady, and though striking a pose, nude style isn't really my thing, I turned and stretched whilst she sprayed my body, breathing in deeply every time the spray can passed my face.
The tan formula is paraben and alcohol free so it doesn't irritate the skin and they've included a special time release ingredient that slows down the release of DHA (the main tanning ingredient) to give you a deeper golden colour that last for ages.
I spent an evening looking rather dirty, but when I showered the next day I was an even bronzed colour that looked very radiant and left me feeling full of energy., It's surprising how awake you feel from looking like you've got a touch of sun, and I certainly brightened up the dreary tube that day. I think I might be getting addicted...
You can get the same result at home, but a salon visit means you'll get the most perfect tan possible, as there's no scrabbling around to try and get all the areas on your back.
You can find Xen-Tan products in a number of major national department store chains, including Debenhams, House of Frase, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Fenwick as well as lots of independent salons across the country. Spray tans prices vary.